Tongawalas mourn the death of a legacy

Monday, 10 May, 2010


"What would Delhi be without India Gate and Qutub Minar? These are just monuments. But we are a living tradition...", moaned an elderly tongawala, the day the clickety clack of tongas - that outlived the British colonial era - fell silent in the capital.

For generations, the tongas have ferried passengers - often as many as six people besides the driver - or carry loads mainly in the areas of Old Delhi.

Monday was the last day of a vocation that began during Mughal rule some 400 years ago.

The decision to phase them out was taken by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the city's main civic agency, on the ground that they were adding to the traffic woes of an already clogged Delhi.

The tonga owners-cum-drivers cannot understand why they are being spiked when the world preserves heritage.

Sixty-year-old Mohamad Harun was in tears when he spoke to IANS: "My grandfather, my father, my whole family's history is entrenched in these tongas. Delhi will not be the same again.

"Tongas have served Delhi since time immemorial. People associated with tongas were treated with respect and dignity since they provided the only mode of transportation for Delhiites. This was true even when the country became independent," he said.

Harun, father of three, spoke at a surprisingly well-kept stable at Turkman Gate, at the edge of the sprawling Mughal-built conclave known as Old Delhi.

The anger of losing their livelihood is directed at the authorities.

"The fate of more than 10,000 people and 250 horses have been sealed by MCD just because tongas require horses and are bad for the traffic in the city. If that is the case, why doesn't the MCD ban rickshaws or polluting vehicles?" Harun asked.

Shabeer, wrinkled and 80-year-old, was emphatic that injustice was being meted out to them.

"We do not cause pollution or traffic jams. We are the real symbols of the original Delhi. We have become redundant now simply because there are flyovers and the Metro."

Shabeer has been ferrying people in his tonga for over 60 years -- and has seen Delhi grow.

For Shabeer the memory he will cherish the most is that of the clip-clop sound of the tongas. And the imagery of high officials in police and administration riding horses and tongas to work -- and for pleasure.

That was in a bygone era.

"What would Delhi be without India Gate, Qutub Minar or Nizamuddin? These are just monuments. But we are a living tradition. Don't other countries protect their traditions?" Shabeer asked.

Mohammad Nazir, who has just finished one of his last rides, was equally downcast.

"True, this is a dying occupation. Our children do not want to follow it. But when the president of India can ride with cavalry, why can't the common man keep this passion alive?"

Sabeer draws a parallel with Bollywood film "Naya Daur" in which tongas got ousted by buses. "Today they are being ousted by the government in the name of modernization."

The MCD has provided job options tonga-drivers: as vendors or autorickshaw drivers.

Syed Abdullah, a tonga driver for 10 years, complained that the permits for vending licenses have been given for east Delhi.

"But most of us live in Old Delhi. Shifting goods from there to Shastri Park in the east every day is practically very difficult."

The MCD says the concerns of the tongawalas can be addressed.

"It's high time this old form of transport was cleared as it creates traffic problems in heavily congested areas," said Vijendar Gupta, former chairman of MCD standing committee.

"There is no reason for the tongawalas to complain as they are being provided with 'tehbazari' (vending licence). It will give them alternate income and employment."

Original news source http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a134950.html